Trumpeter Landfrey's Charge of the Light Brigade
Played by: Trumpeter Landfrey
Recording date: August 2, 1890
Location: London, England
Record format: Edison brown wax cylinder (unissued)
NPS object catalog number: EDIS 39848
** Historical note: Landfrey was a bugler in the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaklava, October 25, 1854, of the Crimean War. On this recording Landfrey plays a trumpet that was used at the Battle of Waterloo, June 18, 1815, of the Napoleonic Wars.


This audio is part of the collection: 78 RPMs & Cylinder Recordings
It also belongs to collection: Music & Arts

Artist/Composer: Trumpeter Landfrey
Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00
Source: National Park Service
Keywords: Oldtime

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: Brian Valentine - - March 28, 2012
Subject: Not the result of General Custer-style swagger
This ill-fated battle of the Crimean War wasn't the result of arrogance of commanding officers evidently, rather it was the result of mis-interpretation of vague orders and inexplicable oblivion of the British troops to the presence of Cossack forces all around them.

It was a tribute to the valour of the British cavalry to press on - knowing what was present all around them. My theory is, British were not annihilated in the Balaclava battle because the Russian forces were mainly serfs and could not care less what the outcome of the battle or the war was. The Cossacks fired on their own equally as easily as they fired on their enemies in skirmishes; the only good outcome for Russia was the elimination of serfdom by the Czar because the Czar saw full well the result of compulsory servitude in war.

Reviewer: Isaac498 - - July 24, 2011
Subject: Trumpeter Landfried 17th Lancers
Having served in the 17th/21st Lancers (now The Queens Royal Lancers)winning C.O.'s Trumpeter on three occasions and also the very last 17th/21st Lancers Trumpet Major before amalgamation I find this recording fascinating and it makes me even more proud to have been associated with one of Britains finest cavalry regiments - Death or Glory!

Reviewer: red 87 - - April 29, 2010
Subject: 17th lancers
having visited martin landfrieds grave many times, to hear his voice and the charge played sent shivers down my spine. take the guns they were told, and they succeeded. heroes to the last man

Reviewer: alvinpleasant - - June 15, 2008
Subject: One of two
Although I find significant value in the recording it is also very apparent it was not only a horrendous event caused by the arrogance or ignorance of a commanding officer but can be married to General Robert E. Lee's order to General George A. Pickett to send his men to certain death at Gettysburg. I find neither charge to be glorious but rather the murderous mistakes of two pompous men who should have been court- martialed and then executed. Alvin Pleasan

Reviewer: damianstockport - - June 4, 2007
Subject: info re trumpeter
Trumpeter is actually called Martin Leonard Lanfried (not Lanfrey) and he was trumpeter with the 17th Lancers. He was wounded in the charge and his horse was killed.
See p665 of Spinks British Battles and Medals for details of chargers.
Emotive stuff!

Reviewer: Victor Scroll Man - - July 11, 2005
Subject: Where is your information coming from?
The other reviewer apparently fails to recognize the significance of the charge of that ill-fated brigade during the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. This charge, though ill-fated and ill-advised, helped exemplify the British ideal of glory, honor, and power on the battlefield. Even though crazy, one might say that it was possibly one of the last great and famous British charges the world had seen.

Yes, it is important to rate the recording for it's overall value, but you have failed to place much note on the beginning of the recording, which speaks of the circumstances surronding the charge. It is important to be able to have a first hand account of the charge of the 13th and 14th light Dragoons, and failing to note that is a grave error. This recording is important for this historical value, and is not meant to be rated for it's entertainment value. That's why it was never commercially released!

Reviewer: Victor Scroll Man - - July 11, 2005
Subject: Where is your information coming from?
The other reviewer apparently fails to recognize the significance of the charge of that ill-fated brigade during the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. This charge, though ill-fated and ill-advised, helped exemplify the British ideal of glory, honor, and power on the battlefield. Even though crazy, one might say that it was possibly one of the last great and famous British charges the world had seen.

Yes, it is important to rate the recording for it's overall value, but you have failed to place much note on the beginning of the recording, which speaks of the circumstances surronding the charge. It is important to be able to have a first hand account of the charge of the 13th and 14th light Dragoons, and failing to note that is a grave error. This recording is important for this historical value, and is not meant to be rated for it's entertainment value. That's why it was never commercially released!

Reviewer: Victor Scroll Man - - July 11, 2005
Subject: Where is your information coming from?
The other reviewer apparently fails to recognize the significance of the charge of that ill-fated brigade during the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. This charge, though ill-fated and ill-advised, helped exemplify the British ideal of glory, honor, and power on the battlefield. Even though crazy, one might say that it was possibly one of the last great and famous British charges the world had seen.

Yes, it is important to rate the recording for it's overall value, but you have failed to place much note on the beginning of the recording, which speaks of the circumstances surronding the charge. It is important to be able to have a first hand account of the charge of the 13th and 14th light Dragoons, and failing to note that is a grave error. This recording is important for this historical value, and is not meant to be rated for it's entertainment value. That's why it was never commercially released!

Reviewer: Spuzz - - April 10, 2005
Subject: Just get on with it please...
While the historical signifigance of this record is somewhat important (The bugler of the Crimean War? Oh yes, very important!) the short tune gets bogged down by the introduction of the piece which, YES, is longer than the piece itself! The piece itself is not bad, but nothing to get worked up about.